Jasun

On your projected income, your realistic options are home schooling or local schooling for the kids, unless one of you can land a gig at a private school for discount on tuition.

If you've got the time, consider a self-managed holiday rental. Sites like Air BNB and are only just taking off in Thailand, but they are growing exponentially around the world. The right property will yield more than double a long-term rental.

Don't let the current phone number expire, or ever forget the number you set the account up with.  For whatever reason, it is one of the most important forms of ID when dealing with the bank on all kinds of issues.

Yes. You can get yourself a cheap post paid, set up a direct debit to keep your current SIM active, stock up on load cards or otherwise find a way to top it up remotely.

Pattaya gets less like Ibiza every year.

I don't think the Oz government would allow a child sexual predator adopt. But then, they're the ones who let him out of prison so soon.

Those candied preserved plum treats, and stir fried egg with pickled mustard greens. Dangerous in isolation, lethal in combination. Ironically both sold at gas stations.

Can you set up a direct debit?

Hi,

With regard to the requirement to stay in Australia for 2 years after being approved for the Old age pension for those who have lived outside Australia prior to applying , can anyone tell me if that requirement is actually spelt out specifically in the pension approval advice letter?

Or is it necessary to check with CI to find out if the 2 years applies?

Thanks.

The 2 year waiting period isn't specific to the aged pension, the qualification period applies to all claims made through Human Services. The only difference with aged pension is that you can leave after satisfying the waiting period (with penalties if you're under working life limits). The two years can be accrued before, after or a combination of both.

Non B sticker is single entry (or mine have been), so that'll cancel itself if you leave. The yearly extension stamp won't automatically cancel in the system, and you'll be able to travel on that until you've notified them, which you're obliged to do straight away. The work permit book is supposed to be returned to the relevant dept. 

I give just enough to stop her taking a lot more.

The card would facilitate being in the country for the purpose of business meetings, but not necessarily to work.

Having said that, Thai Elite claims that one of the 3 key benefits the program is 'connections', to quote the website: "Our member wishing to do business in the country, we assist in facilitating each and every one of your needs. Whether it is a simple work permit or coordinating with the Thailand Board of Investment or any other government agencies, we are here to help you make it happen with the right people"

What that actually means is unclear, but it would indicate that the Elite Card is appropriate for business travellers, and having it woud help grease the wheels in obtaining documents required for working.

They've not only been named, Australian media is running colour photos of the couple. 

Lets face it, Thai food is pretty darn good.  I reckon that country folk who grow up on copious amounts of spicy foods find the average western meal quite bland. I've got a theory that their taste buds have been dulled by all that chili. But I know just as many Thais who adore food from all over the world, eating local is their comfort food.

I found the most effective way is to avoid agents and hit the streets around where you want to live. Just walk into apartment block you like the look of and ask if they have any rooms to rent. It'll probably only take an afternoon of walking around to find a few options and choose your favourite.

"Electrician David John Farnell, 56, was sentenced to three years jail in 1997 for sexually molesting two girls under the age of 13."

It's time to start worrying as much about the little girl as her brother.

"they were told when he was born that the boy had only a day to live"

How fast can you back peddle?

if you do teach your kids in your home country they may not be able to come back here and live in the future. The reason I say this is because they will probably not be able to speak Thai.

There are plenty of people on this site, working and living successfully in Thailand who speak little or no Thai. I think social connections and nuances of the culture are the biggest things they would miss out on if educated outside of Thailand. But nothing that couldn't be overcome.

You could bring it in on a travel money card, just be sure to get the statements from the bank when you turn it into THB.

If you're on Mac, try switching to Transmission then back.

If you live close to the Ekamai, take the bus. If you've got messy connections at both ends, cab it.

Good work, Tony. Might be time to rename the dish to Pad Swiss.

IMHO the OP is not a tourist, is he? As he admits to coming to live with his TGF for a month 5 times a year, so I guess you can't be a tourist if you aren't going about doing tourist activities so technically Thai Imm are right, although I do sympathize with the OP. As he himself states he needs to get the right entry visa.

Spending money and relaxing in a foreign country when you are off work is the very definition of tourism.

But is it still a foreign country when it's the only country you reside in on a regular basis?